Name: Braeburn Apple Tree | Sweet-Tart Late-Season Apple
Availability: InStock

Apple Tree (Braeburn)

Braeburn is a late-season apple known for its bold sweet-tart flavor, firm crunch, and excellent keeping quality—an apple that holds its character well into winter.

Late-season apple with lively sweet-tart balance
Firm, crisp texture with juicy bite
Excellent for fresh eating, baking, and storage
Partially self-fertile; heavier crops with a pollination partner
Reliable performer for home orchards

Description

Braeburn is a well-loved apple that delivers bold flavor without losing balance. Discovered in New Zealand and grown worldwide, it’s prized for combining sweetness and acidity with a firm, satisfying crunch.

The fruit is medium to large with attractive red striping over a green-yellow background. Braeburn’s flesh stays crisp and juicy, making it a versatile apple for fresh eating, baking, and kitchen use. Unlike softer late apples, it holds its texture well after harvest.

Ripening late in the season, Braeburn is also valued as a keeper apple. With proper storage, it can be enjoyed well beyond harvest, making it a great choice for growers who want apples that last into winter.

Overview

Late-season apple with bold sweet-tart flavor
Firm, crisp texture and juicy flesh
Excellent fresh, baked, or sliced
Good keeping quality compared to many apples
Partially self-fertile; improved yields with a pollination partner

Growing Details

Latin Name: Malus domestica ‘Braeburn’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approximately 700 hours
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4–8
Rootstock: M-106 (semi-dwarf)
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically maintained at 12–16 ft tall and wide with pruning
Bloom Time: Mid- to late-season
Ripening Time: Late season; typically October (varies by region)
Flowering Group: Group 4 (late-mid season)
Pollination: Partially self-fertile; heavier crops with a compatible apple variety planted within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Standard apple pest and disease considerations; good airflow and routine care are important
Yield: Reliable producer once established

Additional Notes

Grower’s Insight: Braeburn has become a parent to several modern apple varieties, valued by breeders for its strong flavor balance and firm texture.
Regional Insight: Performs especially well in temperate regions with cool nights and a true fall season—conditions that help preserve acidity and enhance flavor.
Braeburn’s firm flesh helps it hold texture in baking and slicing.
Thinning in heavy crop years improves size and overall eating quality.
Explore more apples in our collection: Apple Trees

Planting & Care

At a Glance – Braeburn Apple

Sun: 1/2 day to full day of sun
Soil: Well-drained soil; avoid prolonged saturation
Water: Moderate; consistent moisture during establishment
Size: Semi-dwarf; easily maintained with pruning
Pollination: Partially self-fertile; better with a partner
Harvest: Late season (October)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4–8

Planting & Care – Braeburn Apple

Site Selection

Choose a location with good sun exposure for best flavor and color.
Full sun is ideal, though at least 1/2 day is sufficient.
Good airflow supports healthy growth and reduces disease pressure.

Soil Preparation

Apples prefer deep, well-drained soil.
Avoid areas where water sits after rain.
Amend lightly with compost if soil is poor; avoid heavy fertility at planting.
Ideal soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.

Planting Instructions

Dig a hole twice the width of the root system.
Plant with the root flare at or just above soil level.
Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly.
Mulch 2–3″ deep, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Watering & Fertilizing

Keep soil evenly moist during the first 1–2 years.
Deep water 1–2 times per week during dry weather.
Once established, water every 7–14 days during dry periods.
Apply a light, balanced fertilizer in early spring if growth is weak.

Pollination

Braeburn is partially self-fertile.
For heavier and more consistent crops, plant another apple variety nearby.
Most mid- to late-season blooming apples are suitable partners.

Pruning & Training

Train to a central leader or modified central leader.
Prune in late winter to open the canopy and maintain structure.
Summer pruning can help manage vigor and improve fruit color.

Harvest & Use

Harvest when fruit is fully colored and firm.
Excellent fresh, baked, or sliced.
Stores well compared to many apples when kept cool.

General Tips

Thin fruit in heavy-set years to improve size and quality.
Good sunlight and airflow support the best flavor development.
Consistent early care leads to dependable long-term production.